If you’re lucky enough to be in the Path of Totality, you’ll be able to see what eclipse chasers call an “emotional, startling, sensational, and life-changing” event. Eclipse chasers are known as umpraphiles, or shadow lovers.

This is the nation’s first total solar eclipse since 1979 and the first to cross from the West Coast to the East Coast since 1918. NASA and the National Park Service advises travelers to stock up on water, snacks, sunscreen — and your solar eclipse viewing glasses — before leaving home.

Eclipse Tip: During totality, make sure to spend a few moments enjoying the 360 degree “sunset” all around you.

Here are the best U.S. cities within the eclipse’s path of totality to watch the spectacular sky show:

• Salem, Oregon

Starts at 9:05 a.m. PDT and totality begins at 10:17 a.m. PDT

• Madras, Oregon

Starts at 9:06 a.m. PDT and totality begins at 10:19 a.m. PDT

• Idaho Falls, Idaho

Starts at 10:15 a.m. MDT and totality begins at 11:33 a.m. MDT

• Jackson, Wyoming

Starts at 10:16 a.m. MDT and totality begins just before 11:35 a.m. MDT. The centerline of the total eclipse will pass over the southern part of Grand Teton National Park in the Jackson Hole valley, making it one of the best places in the country to experience the astronomical event.

• Casper, Wyoming

Starts at 10:22 a.m. MDT and totality begins at 11:42 a.m. MDT

• Lincoln, Nebraska

Starts at 11:37 a.m. CDT and totality begins at 1:02 p.m. CDT

• Jefferson City, Missouri

Starts at 11:46 a.m. CDT and totality begins at 1:13 p.m. CDT

It’s an interesting fact that this eclipse path cuts right through the middle of several very large cities. Check this Maps of the Path of Totality, if you’d like to see how close your city is.

If you want to experience it from one of our nations parks, here are several in the Path of Totality.

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Texas is a great state to get out and explore. Whether you’re listening to the latest podcast or NPR channel, you might just end up wishing you had some great music along for the ride. Music and road trips go hand in hand, and if you’re looking for some new tunes, there are many places to find and download music:

• iTunes Store
• Amazon MP3
• Spotify
• Napster
• eMusic
• 7digital

There are even more places to find a good song list. But how do you entertain the whole family? Or your best friend who decided to take his or her vacation time, so they could drive with you across the country. Or just Texas.

If you’re travelling with your family, show tunes are always a great choice. Most of us can even sing along to some of the old standards:

• South Pacific
• West Side Story
• My Fair Lady
• Bye, Bye Birdie
• Grease

More genres to choose from, to satisfy most musical tastes:

• Folk
• Pop
• HipHop
• Jazz
• Country
• Classical
• Rap
• Punk
• Reggae

Doing a simple search online can go a long way to help you build your library. Searching Spotify, Pinterest and Google, will come up with some great choices, whether it’s an old favorite we know all the words to, or something brand new.

Have a great trip, and Drive Safe!

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Summer weather means hot temperatures and the inside of cars get even hotter so remember it is never OK to leave kids or pets in a car — even with the windows down.

Kids are more susceptible and at higher risk for heat-related illness and injury than adults because their bodies make more heat relative to their size and their abilities to cool through sweating are not as developed as adults.

On a day that is just 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature [inside a car] can increase by 30 to 40 degrees in an hour, and 70% of this increase occurs the first 30 minutes. If you suspect your child has heatstroke consult a doctor immediately and provide fluids. Give your child as much cold water as he will drink. Do this until he feels better. If you have a sports drink such as Gatorade, give it instead. Sports drinks contain water, salt and sugar.

Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.
If you see a dog left alone in a hot car, take down the car’s color, model, make, and license plate number. Have the owner paged in the nearest buildings, or call local humane authorities or police. Have someone keep an eye on the dog. If your dog becomes overheated there are steps you can take.

Provide water to drink, and if possible spray the dog with a garden hose or immerse him or her in a tub of cool (but not iced) water for up to two minutes in order to lower the body temperature gradually. You can also place the dog in front of an electric fan. Applying cool, wet towels to the groin area, stomach, chest, and paws can also help. Be careful not to use ice or cold water, and don’t overcool the animal.

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May is National Pet Month. Warm weather can mean more time in the car and on the road with a furry family member. JK Chevrolet has compiled tips to keep in mind when traveling with your pet.

Crate Your Pet
Many people feel guilty about crating their animals on a trip, but it’s for their own safety. Just make sure the crate is well-ventilated and large enough for them to stand, lie down, and turn around in. You should also ensure that the crate won’t shift during sudden maneuvers.

Dogs in cars
When driving, there are a few different options for safely transporting pets. Use a dog carrier that is large enough for them to stand and turn around in. Letting your dog roam free in the car without restraint is never a good idea, however some dogs might tolerate a canine seatbelt, which is a harness that attaches to the car’s seatbelt. Another option would be to use a dog car divider or barrier, for safe transportation of larger dogs in the back of a hatchback or SUV.
If traveling by truck, always secure a pet carrier with a harness specifically designed for a truck bed. Simply tying your dog’s leash to the truck is not recommended; the dog may end up jumping or falling out of the truck and while still attached by the collar could result with fatal consequences.

Cats in cars
Contrary to popular belief, car travel is possible with cats. Placing your cat in a carrier is highly recommended. Cats can be quite vocal when riding, but will usually quiet down over time. Feline calming pheromones, such as Feliway sprays are very helpful to calm a stressed kitty. Prior to your trip, allowing your cat to acclimate to the carrier is also a good idea. Place your cat’s food, water and toys in inside the carrier and allow them to come and go, until they feel comfortable.

Can pets get car sick?
Pets can get motion sickness just like people. It’s common for puppies to vomit during their first couple car rides. Most dogs will outgrow motion sickness, but you can try withholding a meal right before your trip to help ease nausea. However, be cautious withholding meals in small breed puppies, which need access to food often, in order to prevent low blood sugar. Most anti-nausea medications such as Dramamine and Benadryl are safe to use in dogs, but always talk to your veterinarian before giving any amount to your pets.

Never Leave Your Pet in a Hot Car
This tip simply cannot be overstated. You should never leave your animal in a hot car for any length of time – even ‘just for a minute’. Regardless of if your vehicle is hidden in the shade with the windows rolled down, a parked automobile can become a furnace within minutes. Even leaving your furry friends water to drink won’t help because animals can’t expel heat as effectively as humans, leaving them at much higher risk for heatstroke.

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If you’re looking for a new Chevy truck, you have your pick among several models.

Truck owners love personalization. That’s why Chevy offers a number of different Silverado Special Editions so that you can find exactly the right one for your inner truck personality. Click through for more detail.

Redline

Available on LT Z71 double cabs and LTZ Z71 crew cabs
20-inch black wheels with red accents
Black Silverado badges with red outline
Red tow hooks
Silverado HD Midnight Editions

Black 18″ wheels
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac® off-road tires
Black bumpers and grille
Black Chevy bowtie emblems
Midnight

Available on select Crew Cab and Double Cab models†
Black 18″ wheels
Black Chevy bowtie emblems
Black door handles and mirror caps
The Silverado 1500 Rally 1 and Rally 2 Editions

Rally 1

Rally striping on hood and sides
20-inch black wheels
Available on Custom model with Double Cab
Rally 2

22-inch gloss black wheels
4-inch round assist steps
Available on LT Z71 models with Double Cab or Crew Cab

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The 2017 Silverado 2500 HD will have more power, tech, and strength for your working and driving pleasure. Learn more about what’s next for the Silverado 2500 HD below.

1. It’s packed with power.

A new year brings a new engine. It’s a 6.6L Turbo-Diesel engine that yields 910 lb.-ft of torque and 445 HP.

2. It’s techy.

Towing is made easier with Trailer Sway Control and a Trailering Camera System. Add in the Diesel Exhaust Braking System and you have one smart vehicle.

3. It’s a power lifter.

With a maximum payload of 3,543 lbs and the ability to tow up to 18,100 lbs, the Silverado 2500 can tackle the hardest of jobs.

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The Super Bowl will be here in a couple of weeks. Are you ready for the big game? Test your Super Bowl knowledge below.

Which kicker holds the longest field goal in a Super Bowl?
Steve Christie took that record in Super Bowl XXVIII.

Which QB threw the most touchdowns in a Super Bowl?
Steve Young holds that record with 6 touchdowns. It happened in Super Bowl XXIX.

Which Super Bowl has the longest kick-off return for a touchdown and who returned the kick?
Jacoby Jones owns that record with a 108 yard return in Super Bowl XLVII.

What receiver had the most yards in a Super Bowl?
Jerry Rice had a huge 215 yards in Super Bowl XXIII.

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The newly redesigned 2016 Chevy Malibu offers something for pretty much everyone in the family. This newest version of the Chevy Malibu has the team at JK Chevrolet really excited not only for a new look, a new hybrid engine option and several tech features that parents will love. What we’re going to focus on in this post are the tech features parents can use to keep track of their driving habits and encourage safe driving habits for their kids, even when they are not in the car with them. This can be great, especially with new drivers in the family.

The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu debuts a system, called Teen Driver, that provides parents with a tool to help encourage safe driving habits for their kids, even when they are not in the car with them.

It allows parents to set speed alerts, limit audio volume, and even receive vehicle reports “so parents could use it as a teaching tool with their kids-they can discuss and reinforce safe driving habits.

For example:
1. Stereo audio is muted when front seat occupants aren’t wearing safety belts.
2. Audible and visual warnings are given when the Malibu is traveling over preset speeds.
3. Music volume limitations can be put in place.
4. Parents can check to see how the car was driven; whether Forward Collision Alert or Lane Departure Warning features were triggered and what speeds the Malibu reached on its last drive.

Aside from the available teen driving safety tech, the 2016 Malibu also offers seamless Apple Car Play and Android Auto app integration with the Chevrolet MyLink system. This tech feature makes it easier to manage your busy life as a parent and working professional.

Want to take a look? Call us at JK  Chevrolet to schedule a test drive.

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The vacations are over, the kids are back in school and cooler evenings have begun. Take advantage of this time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter weather ahead. Also, October is Fall Car Care Month so now it is the perfect time. Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, JK Chevrolet recommends five proactive steps to make sure your car is ready for winter driving.
1. Battery – Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it’s wise to check the battery and charging system. Because batteries don’t always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.
2. Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades – Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Fall is also a great time to check your air filters. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don’t properly clean your windshield should be replaced. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. When changing the blades, be sure to also check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.
3. Tires – Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop.
4. Brakes – Have the brake system checked, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.

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Child Passenger Safety Week is September 18-24, 2016 so it is a great time to review these tips to keep your most precious cargo safe.

1. Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat. Use the below car seat checklist to help you out. It takes only 15 minutes.
2. Learn how to install your car seat for free. The Safe Kids organization hosts car seat inspection events across the country where certified technicians can help you learn to install your car seat properly. They will teach you so that you can always be sure your car seat is used correctly. Click here to find an event near you.
3. Buy a used car seat only if you know its full crash history. That means you must buy it from someone you know, not from a thrift store or over the Internet. Once a car seat has been in a crash or is expired or broken, it needs to be replaced.
4. We know that when adults wear seat belts, kids wear seat belts. So be a good example and buckle up for every ride. Be sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up, too.
5. Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. While it may be tempting to dash out for a quick errand, the temperature inside your car can rise 20 degrees and cause heatstroke in the time it takes for you to run in and out of the store.

Car seat Checklist
Follow this easy-to-use checklist when buying a new child safety seat:
• The seat you have selected can be used rear-facing.
• The seat meets the federal motor vehicle safety standard. This information can be found on a sticker on the side of the car seat.
• Your child’s height and weight fits the height and weight limits listed on a label on the side of the car seat.
• The harness is easy for you to adjust each and every time you put your baby in and out of the seat.
• The seat is easy to install in your car.
• If you have more than one car and are buying an infant carrier with a base, you can buy a base for each car.
If you are buying a used child safety seat, you also have to check the following:
• The history of the child safety seat; make sure it was never involved in a crash.
• The seat has not been recalled. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for recall information.

The seat is not too old. Most manufacturers place an expiration date on their child safety seats, which is normally around six years.

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